​Day 1 ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL.Arrive in Lisbon and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day and evening is free to explore on your own.

Day 2 LISBONOne of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon sprawls across several hills along the Tagus River. See Belem Tower, a fortified 4-story tower made of limestone, and visit the Late Gothic Jerónimos Monastery, the burial place of many Portuguese kings and heroes. You will also see the Discoveries Monument, the city’s most famous monument, built in honor of Portugal’s greatest maritime explorers. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city’s other top sights, such as the Castle of São Jorge or the Santa Justa Elevator that overlooks the castle, river and Rossio Square. (B)

Day 3 LISBON – SINTRAEnjoy a morning excursion to Serra de Sintra, one of the loveliest mountain villages in Portugal, a favorite summer residence of the Portuguese royal family for more than 500 years. Long an inspiration for artists and poets, Lord Byron once called it “perhaps the most delightful [village] in Europe.” High up on a rocky peak, you will tour the Castelo da Pena, a wonderful fairy tale castle dating from Portugal’s Romantic period. Afterwards, enjoy a wine tasting or time on your own. (B)

Day 4 LISBON – FATIMA – PORTO – EMBARKATIONAfter breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive through the countryside to Porto. Stop along the way to spend several hours in Fatima, famous for its shrine to the Virgin Mary and a world-renowned pilgrimage site. Explore the town and enjoy lunch on your own before continuing on to Porto to board your ship. Gather on board tonight for a Welcome Dinner. (B, D)

Day 5 PORTO - RÉGUASpend a leisurely morning soaking up the beauty of the Douro River as you cruise to Régua, a Portuguese town renowned for its utterly spectacular scenery. After arriving this afternoon, enjoy a port wine tasting at Quinto do Seixo, a lovely 108-acre country estate that offers an interactive wine museum and breathtaking views of steeply terraced hillside vineyards, the Douro River and the nearby village of Pinhão. All port made here is destined for Sandeman, a company known around the world for its quality wines. Later, you may choose to visit the Douro Museum, which offers a comprehensive and fascinating in-depth look at the unique Douro wine-growing region. Your ship moors in Régua overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 6 RÉGUA - BARCA D’ALVAThis morning, you will have an excursion to ancient and picturesque Lamego, home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). The shrine features a staircase of nearly 700 steps, beautifully decorated with white and blue tiles. Other attractions include a Gothic cathedral, a museum, and charming cafés. This afternoon, enjoy the wild, rugged scenery as your ship cruises through the dramatic gorges of the Douro river valley en route to Barca d’Alva. (B,L,D)

Day 7 SALAMANCA, SPAIN – VEGA TERRÓN, SPAINDrive to Salamanca today for a full-day tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the center of Spain’s Castilla y León region. Built of golden sandstone, Salamanca is known as a “living museum,” an opportunity to step back in time to the Middle Ages. During your guided tour, you will see the city’s elegant university buildings, the twin-towered Cathedral, the intriguingly decorated House of Shells, as well as Plaza Mayor, considered the most magnificent main square in Spain. You will rejoin the ship in Vega Terrón, where the ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 8 VEGA TERRÓN – PINHÃOAfter breakfast, tour Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified village perched high on a hilltop with 16th-century walls and steep, narrow streets. Stop to admire the Chafariz dos Pretos, a striking and very unique fountain decorated with black faces. Return to the ship for lunch and cruise onward to Pinhão. This evening, you will be treated to a wine-tasting and dinner at a local “quinta.” We moor overnight in Pinhão. (B,L,D)

Day 9 RÉGUA – ENTRE-OS-RIOSThis morning, cruise to Régua for a morning excursion to the Baroque-style Palacio de Mateus and its gardens, located in the beautiful Trás-os-Montes region near the city of Vila Real. Inside the house you’ll see exhibits of religious images and beautiful furnishings, paintings and ceiling of intricately carved wood. The gardens here are considered some of the most beautiful in Portugal. Return to the ship for lunch while the ship cruises to Entre-Os-Rios, arriving this evening. Tonight, you will enjoy a traditional home-cooked Portuguese meal at the Alpendurada Monastery. Savor a glass of port as you take in the gorgeous view from the monastery’s terrace. (B,L,D)

Day 10 PORTOYour ship arrives in Porto, the capital of northern Portugal, early this morning. Your guided tour of the historical quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes a number of iconic sights: the Porto Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest and most impressive monuments; the bustling main square; and the Sao Bento Railway Station, renowned for its magnificent blue and white tile panels depicting scenes from Portuguese history. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of port wine, which derives its name from this very city. The ship moors overnight in Porto. (B,L,D)

Day 11 PORTO - DISEMBARKATIONYour cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)

Spend three nights in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, before beginning your journey down the Douro River, with its dramatic gorges, lush vineyards, and tranquil fishing villages. Begin in Porto and continue on to the ancient and picturesque city of Lamego. Enter Spain to visit Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the beautiful inland countryside and the palace and gardens of Mateus. Explore the 24th-century Alpendurada Monastery before concluding your cruise in Porto.

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